DDA wants to add park for major events

Published 7:00 pm, Monday, December 19, 2005

The Downtown Development Authority wants to use Chippewassee Park for large-scale events that would draw crowds to the downtown area.

But the DDA can only pay for activities within its boundaries and the park now is not in the district, DDA Executive Director Christin O'Callaghan told the Midland City Council at a public hearing Monday.

"By bringing this into the boundary, we're allowed to utilize this area," she said, adding the DDA would need permission from the city to use the park, just like any other group.

Midlander Larry Pillepich expressed concern about the plan.

Large events will not be enough to make downtown businesses survive - there need to be retail stores that will draw people to the area, Pillepich said. He described the downtown when it had a Sears store and other large businesses.

"It's going to be hard to get that kind of business," he said.

Several business owners and community members spoke in favor of adding the park and approving a Tax Increment Finance plan for the district. The current TIF plan ends in 2007 and the proposed plan would extend this portion of the DDA's funding for about 25 years.

Bob Rogowski, Midland Downtown Business Association president, said the downtown area is at a crossroads, having seen improvements and more interest from people in the past 15 years.

"I think we have an opportunity to build a better downtown," he said, adding that the DDA's work is imperative to continuing growth.

The boundary proposal and tax plan are now up for public review. The council is expected to take action on the items at its Feb. 20 meeting.